Chuseok season not a holiday for all
By Chyung Eun-ju
Chuseok is usually a time of relaxation ― but not for everyone.
The Chuseok holiday season ― 10 days ― was the longest ever after President Moon Jae-in’s de facto transition team designated Oct. 2 as a holiday.
The extension was to “allow workers to rest fully,” according to Rep. Kim Jin-pyo of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea.
Indeed, some people took advantage of the long holiday with trips abroad, as this Chuseok marked a record 115,353 departing passengers (during summer peak season, July 30, there were 109,918 passengers).
However, some may be dreading the longer period, such as, daughter-in-laws who have duties piled on them, airport staff who have an increased workload, and the unemployed twenties who feel overwhelmed with having to meet their families.
Daughters-in-law
Chuseok, which dates back more than millennia in Korea, celebrates the harvest festivals and honors our ancestors.
On Chuseok morning, family members gather at their homes to hold memorial services called “charye” in honor of their ancestors.
Freshly harvested rice, half-moon rice cakes, Korean pancakes called “jeon,” and dozens of other dishes are prepared for the ancestors. These dishes take several days to prepare. After the “charye,” family members enjoy the food.
However, “charye” is a source of pain for daughter-in-laws. They are responsible for sitting in the kitchen flipping “jeon” and kneading half-moon rice cakes. All the kitchen duties fall on the wives.
The demanding job of preparing diverse ritual foods and meals for in-laws is a contributor to the increased in divorce rate.
An average of 577 couples filed for divorce a day before and after the major national holiday in 2016, according to the data submitted from the Office of Court Administration under the Supreme Court to Rep. Keum Tae-sup of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea. This is almost twice the yearly average of 298.
According to the Korea Legal Aid Center for Family Relations, obligations involved on national holidays pushes couples over the edge.
Airport staff
As more people flock the airports for holiday trips, more sighs can be heard from airport employees.
With 193,598 outbound and inbound passengers, the employees have to work more hours.
Jung Eun-il, 36, responsible for inspecting carry-on baggage, could not take days off to see her family even though she is expecting a baby in November.
“More people try to take advantage of the crowd and try to board with prohibited goods,” said Jung.
Baggage handler Jung Hae-jin, 51, said, “I have never spent the holidays with my family during my 10 years at Incheon Airport.”
Most employees said they felt guilty that they were unable to participate in the family traditions.
Unemployed youth
The golden holiday season does not shine so much for the unemployed. Many avoid going to see their families because they do not want to be bombarded with job-related questions.
A graduate, 28, said he preferred to apply for more part-time jobs rather than spending time with his family. He expressed shame that his parents still had to pay his living expenses.
A woman, 30, preparing for the civil service examination, said, “My father even said to not come home until I make it as a public official.”
A Seoul National University senior student who is applying for jobs, said, “My parents constantly ask me about my prospective career, which makes me very anxious. Until I have secured a job, I don’t feel comfortable seeing my relatives.”
The number of unemployed Korean young people rose to an 18-year record 1,001,000 in August, up 5,000 from the same time last year, according to Statistics Korea.